Oakleigh’s business philosophy is one of building long term partnerships with their clients – who return because they are responsive, flexible, original, and focused on the delivery of sustainable benefits.
In the public sector Oakleigh help drive forward initiatives such as shared services, best value and continuous improvement, the improved citizen’s experience and the use of electronic processes to support everything from elections to cash collections. The range of Oakleigh’s work in the public sector is broad, with a particular emphasis on Central and Local Government, Healthcare and Education including Universities. Their clients include, Departments of State, Agencies and NDPBs, Local Government, Universities and the NHS and non-NHS healthcare organisations.
In the private sector, Oakleigh understand how business processes and technology combined can deliver at the bottom line – whether through customer retention, process efficiency, acquisition driven changes or in the timely recognition of revenues. They have worked for clients in the utilities sector, transport and transport infrastructure sectors, and for financial service providers.
Internationally, Oakleigh’s consultants work with learning providers in developed and developing countries to improve service provision and educational outcomes.
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NHS/Cheshire ICT ServiceThe engagement with the client on this assignment was to evaluate the current infrastructure and capability of the Cheshire ICT Service. Oakleigh also provided support in the development of an appropriate architectural strategy by carrying out a review of the infrastructure against the ICT Strategy, agreeing the desired end state with the client and...
BECTAOakleigh provided BECTA with an in depth report on the features and benefits of Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007, along with recommended readiness planning, deployment strategies and impact analyses on current hardware estates and interoperability issues.
The British LibraryOakleigh used a SCRUM-based agile approach to successfully deliver a number of software development iterations and two major releases of an enterprise java application, on time and within budget.
UKERNA (United Kingdom Education and Research Network Association) / JNT Association: Review of IS Strategy The purpose of this assignment was to review UKERNA’s internal IT usage driven by both their move to new premises and integration into UKERNA of the Network Operations Support Centre (NOSC) previously run by UCL (although this had been part of the UKERNA setup for a long time).
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS); Evaluation of the Key Skills Support Programme (KSSP) ‘Enhancing skills for Life and Work&#Assessing the impact and performance of a major programme to inform future support needs.
Sheffield Hallam UniversityImproving the efficiency and effectiveness of the approach to marketing and related activities in a University.
BECTA; Management Services for the Harnessing Technology Strategy Provision of management services in a research and development programme on exploiting technology.
University of Teesside; Review of Marketing functionReviewing the marketing and public relations functions, structures, capabilities and capacity in a University.
Canterbury Christchurch University; Strategic Review of Core Business Systems Evaluation of existing core business applications and advice on future direction of software provision.
Review of Contact Centre VoIP Software for a FTSE 100 CompanyReview the requirements and benefits of introducing corporate voice over IP telephony and rank potential suppliers.
E.ON UK (formerly Powergen)Oakleigh introduced the eXtreme Programming software development methodology to a large client, and led a trailblazing project using the approach.
Independent assessment of supply-side assumptions underpinning the business cases for the proposed new programmesEstablish the market potential for higher education programmes to underpin institutional growth.
Preparation and creation of the functional requirements for a new student information system Client side advice on the creation of functional requirements for a student information system.
University of NewcastleDetailed analysis of the student experience to improve the services and support offered by understanding the key drivers.
Lifelong Learning (MIAP in Scotland Programme): Review of the Scottish Candidate Number as a Unique Learner NumberResearch on the potential implementation of a unique learner number across Scotland’s lifelong learning community.
Interim evaluation of the Leadership Foundation for Higher EducationEvaluating the impact and effectiveness of HECE investment in the LFHE and its performance.
Policy Impact AssessmentDeveloping a regulatory impact assessment approach and tool for policy officers.
Student Management Information SystemsDetailed business process analysis of information handling in preparation for student information system software procurement.
Review of Professional DoctoratesStudy across the education and employers communities on the market growth potential for the Professional Doctorate in Arts and Humanities.
Common Data Definitions StudyDevelopment of a core set of common data definitions to enable achievement of the MIAP vision.
MIAP: Design and Implementation of a Unique Learner NumberIn-depth research and business process mapping in support of the development of a unique learner number across education partners.
Agenda for Change Data Theme: Common Provider DatasetInvestigating the value of a common provider data set and to devise a draft dataset for consultation.
Corporate Services Service Level Agreement DevelopmentDeveloping corporate services internal SLAs (Service Level Agreements) for Finance, IT, HR and Legal Services.
Support service for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)Training planning and assurance and departmental support with skills transfer.
Transformation and Set up of New OrganisationManaging a significant change programme and supporting start up bodies.
Support for using new housing powersDeveloping capacity to support local authorities to implement new housing powers through a major action learning programme.
Benefits Realisation in the NHSDeveloping an effective approach for ensuring programme and project success through benefits management.
PACS Business Case and ProcurementDeveloping a benefits-driven business case and procurement process for a national technology service in the NHS
Procurement Support/Clinical SystemsDeveloping a benefits-driven business case and procurement process for the implementation of a clinical pathway toolset.
Creating a 'Fair Wage' PolicyDeveloping a policy approach on the introduction of a ‘fair wage’ policy among external contractors.
Developing and embedding the use of programme and project managementDevelop a systematic approach to planning and the implementation of policy based on programme and project management.
There are many complex situations in business and in Government where it can be difficult to recognise pitfalls or opportunities. Using a recent assignment for a major utility, we look at how modelling techniques can be used to help capture and rationalise complexity, identify cost consequences, and map the best path forward.
Background
The economic...
In this fascinating article, we analyse the latest fraud trends and statistics and their implications for the financial services sector. We argue that fraud containment strategies should look at process review and innovation at the point of sale before expensive IT solutions.
The passing of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002, which came into...
Many information systems (IS) projects fail because they have been designed to satisfy the wrong requirements. Moreover, it is apparent that many projects fail, not because they do not work, but because they do not work in the right way. Failure of system developers to understand the real needs of the business can be as damaging to an IS project as...
If Business Continuity Planning (BCP) has a higher profile today than twenty years ago, it is in no small way due to the activities of terrorist organisations. In London, the fact that only 8% of companies affected by the Bishopsgate bomb who did not have business continuity arrangements in place were still in business 5 years after the event served...
Over the past few years Oakleigh have been involved in applying lean thinking to process and organisational re-design and using agile methodologies to deliver software projects for clients. We think there is a great deal in common between lean and agile and both can be of great benefit to an organisation.
In the following article we explain lean...
Business Process Management (BPM) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) are two technologies that are currently flavour of the month in the IT Industry. With many definitions for each term, it is often difficult to see how the technologies fit into the grand scheme of things within your organisation.
In this article, Oakleigh takes a vendor-independent...
Having just spent six months on an assignment in London, I have become very well acquainted with the 'Mind the Gap' tube announcement. The apparent design flaw of potentially lethal gaps between tube and platform that the announcement warns against highlights an important lesson for us all. Let me explain.
You may wonder why the train and platform...
A comparison of lean thinking and agile methods and how lean can be used to review your traditional waterfall development processes to see if agile or lean can better serve these processes. For a definition of lean thinking and agile methodologies please read Defining Lean Thinking and Agile Methodologies
Three Days Free Consultancy
Oakleigh Consulting...
Project Management has a basic requirement to deliver products 'on-time' and 'within budget'. IT development projects, on the other hand, take place against a background of changes to: original specification, additional functionality, user requirements and so on. This can present real conflict where change is not managed effectively.
Configuration...
I was reminded of the fable by Hans Christian Anderson about the Emperor's New Clothes when in discussion with some architects (who I respect) about XML. They wanted to use XML within their enterprise and listening to them talking, it was not only going to solve all of their integration issues but it was going to solve world hunger as well!
"They...
“75% of managers believe that outsourcing outcomes have fallen short of expectations” Source: AMA Survey
“25% of all relationships fail within 2 years and 50% fail within 5 years” Source: D&B Barometer of Global Outsourcing
Outsourcing, whether it be front or back office services; specific functions or applications;...
Lessons in Creating Flexible Learning
Advances in technology and increases in the number of people who have access to electronic media (PCs, digital TV, mobile phones, etc.) have opened the door to far reaching changes in working and learning patterns. Learners, teachers and other school employees are demanding flexible access to virtual learning...
Higher Education Institutions face significant challenges in strategically marketing and promoting their teaching, learning and research capabilities. A fact highlighted by recent assignments in the UK and overseas undertaken by Oakleigh. In this article, Kay Renfrew uses case studies from UK and overseas assignments to illustrate how HEIs can turn...
Strong university/industry co-operation and collaboration can accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into technological innovations, potentially benefiting the wider society, economy and environment.
Increasingly, the industrial and commercial sectors aim to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and wealth creation through collaboration...
Benchmarking is becoming increasingly popular in the UK public sector as organisations recognise its value as a rigorous management tool for building self-knowledge by viewing internal practices in a new light.
In this article the author, an experienced benchmarker, provides a no-nonsense guide to benchmarking and what it can do for your organisation...
There a number of ways in which a particular policy can be defined as 'good'. Criteria include the degree to which it:
• Matches manifesto commitments.
• Meets ministerial ambitions (or prejudices!).
• Resolves a perceived social or economic problem.
• Is founded on good evidence.
• Does not have unfortunate or unforeseen...
In recent years the government has been increasingly focused on service delivery and that most common of phrases, 'joined up government'. The reality of joining up local services has, however, proved much more difficult to achieve than the rhetoric. With competing directives from central government departments, the lack of a common goal and few forums...
In the current climate, with the impact of the London bombings permeating everyday relationships, the impetus to build community cohesion and establish dialogue between communities takes on an even greater urgency.
In the following article the author draws on Oakleigh's experience working on the Community Cohesion Pathfinders Programme and shares...
Today organisations operate in a chaotic environment battling against continuous change and facing demanding, often impossible, timescales to deliver. If we ignore this chaos, it will eventually erode the organisation to the point where it is unable to operate cost-effectively, think clearly and move smartly in an increasingly unpredictable world....
Probably the best way to understand the role of Benefits Management is to look at it as a counter to (arguably) the traditional approach to project benefits which is:
Identify only 'sufficient' benefits needed to justify the project;
Deliver the project at 'all costs'; and
As soon as the project is implemented, move onto another project...
New technologies arising from both personal and business spheres are creating exciting opportunities for organisations to work collaboratively with staff, suppliers and customers.
In this article, Steve Greenaway Technical Architect with Oakleigh's Technology Division, gives us a guide to these technologies, including RSS, wiki and Sharepoint, and...
Brands are big news. The term is regularly used in the media, in the workplace and even in your local pub. The City places a financial value on it and consumers make purchasing decisions based on it. Ask any organisation, be it a University or a multinational, if their brand is important and they'll say yes. But ask them, what is brand and why is it...
Time to take a look at technologies that may still seem to be ‘science fiction’ but which are already making an impact.
Companies are developing ever more sophisticated methods of gathering personal data.
Microsoft has applied for a patent for a system of sensors that gathers information about customers when they are in a shop, then analyses...
In this article, Nick Cotter and Jo Potter examine the role of Organisational Development in preparing public sector organisations for the difficult times ahead.
The Context
Recent announcements indicate that the public sector is in for a pretty rough time over the next 3-5 years as the government struggles to balance the books. Whilst some parts...
In a previous article, we talked about the nine sources of power including the importance of understanding the informal networks that operate in an organisation.
This article examines these informal networks and processes (or ‘Shadowside’) in more detail and discusses their importance in making change work.
The nine sources...
If you thought that to be powerful, you had to become Chief Executive, with lots of resources to hand, along with a title that demands respect, then think again! The title and all its trappings give the Chief Executive only 3 out of the 9 recognised sources of power. The other 6 can be developed regardless of your position in the organisation.
So...
On July 14th 2009, the government published its long-awaited green paper on the future of adult social care. The paper highlights key challenges and problems with the current system, outlines a vision for care and support and explores a number of alternative funding models to ensure the future system is affordable and sustainable.
The Current System
The...
In this second of two articles, Kay Renfrew of Oakleigh Consulting looks at some of the underlying systems and software that are having a profound impact on the way we learn and their implications for educators and learners.
Nanotechnology - Shrinking Storage
Software Licensing and Software as a Service
Green Computing and Virtualisation...
